MARIETTA, OH (March 27, 2018)—The Practical Nursing (PN) program at Washington State College of Ohio (WSCO) is ranked No. 5 among the all the PN schools in the state of Ohio.
PracticalNursing.org placed WSCO’s nursing program fifth among the 64 PN programs in the state. The website based its rankings on National Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) scores from the last five years, where, in fact, WSCO’s pass rate is an average of 96.5%. This is more than 15% higher than the national average and almost 15% higher than state averages. In addition to having some of the state’s highest licensure pass rates, WSCO’s practical nursing program also has a 100% job placement rate.
Contributing to the College’s high standing were the 2017 NCLEX-PN scores that were recently released by the Ohio Board of Nursing where WSCO earned a 100% pass rate.
“Nursing school requires application and setting priorities to meet patient needs,” explained Alicia Warren, WSCO’s Practical Nursing Program Director. “Our faculty support our students closely as they work through this new way of thinking. We don’t just teach the memorization of facts. We teach them the knowledge and skill base to be the nurse that we want to take care of us or one of our loved ones. Our expert, personable faculty, small class size, individual attention and modern equipment account for the practical nursing program’s outstanding reputation in the community for the past 58 years,” she added.
The College was also recently recognized for its Associate Degree Nursing program having a 95% pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Those scores earned the school a ranking of #7 among the 89 registered nursing programs in Ohio by RegisteredNursing.org.
“We are delighted to be among the top ten schools in Ohio for our LPN and RN programs,” said WSCO’s Dean of the Health Sciences Dr. Heather Kincaid. “I believe our success can be attributed to the dedication of our highly qualified faculty and their commitment to the success of our students and to the nursing profession. By providing access to state-of-the-art equipment, one-on-one instruction, and free tutoring services with our nursing retention specialist, students gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence necessary to become caring, competent nurses in our local communities.”
The NCLEX-PN is an indicator that graduates are proficient in the knowledge, skills, and abilities essential for safe and effective entry-level nursing practice. Following the successful completion of the exam, nurses can practice in the state where he or she attended school and can also apply for reciprocity to other states for a fee without retesting.
Graduates of WSCO’s PN program have the option to continue their education and pursue an associate degree in nursing. They can also go directly to work in doctor’s offices, extended care facilities, hospitals, department of rehabilitation and corrections, home health and others.
The WSCO Practical Nursing program is currently accepting applications. For additional information about the PN program or to download an application, visit http://www.wscc.edu/academics/health/practical-nursing/ or contact Alicia Warren at awarren@wscc.edu.
For more than 45 years, Washington State College of Ohio has provided residents of the Mid-Ohio Valley the opportunity to realize dreams, to enhance skills, and to broaden understanding. Whether you are a recent high school graduate or an adult student looking to move your life in a new direction, Washington State has the classes to suit your needs. For more information about Washington State College of Ohio, visit www.wscc.edu or call 740.374.8716.
